The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) revealed that the total container volume handled at the Colombo Port during January 2016 has increased by 3.6% to 197,228 TEUs compared with the same period of 2015 reported for 1,950,285 TUEs.
It further revealed that progress was achieved during the time of new administration came in to power.
The SLPA said this was the second time that the Authority had gained a significant increase in TUEs operations after the achievement of 1.5% growth in September 2014 .
SLPA data shows that the total container volume handled at the Colombo Port during 2014, had declined up to 1.1% and again up to 8.8% respectively in October and November 2014 by pointing out a huge decline.
Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga asserted that the set targets were achieved even still continuing the port operations using its old equipment and machines. The Minister revealed that the significant improvement was achieved by getting the support of the employees in Colombo Port.
The minister charged that he was really satisfied about the production capacity of the employees in Colombo port. He said the set targets were achieved even when the SLPA was facing financial barriers to replace old machines and equipments at the Colombo Port.
"We hope to develop the necessary facilities of the Colombo Port to continue the progress and bring it amongst the world's top 20 ports list," the Minister charged.
The Minister asserted that taking a visit to the JCT terminal at the Colombo port today, Minister extended his gratitude to all employees of JCT terminal for their valuable contribution to achieve the set targets. The visit was organized by the employee unions of the SLPA.